Shared from Brust Funeral Home LLC’s Obituary Information
Jim was born on September 14, 1936 in Oak Park, IL and grew up in Elmwood Park, IL just outside of Chicago. He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School and then went to night school for eleven years until he obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Business and Economics from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in 1969.
During his time as a Tool and Die machinist, he married Brenda Bruno in 1959 and had two children, Barbara and Gregory. He also served in the Illinois Army National Guard.
His first marriage ended in divorce and after a few years, met the love of his life who complimented his love for the outdoors and sports. He married Thekla Nickle in 1967 with whom he had two more children, Eric and Michelle, and 49 years of being happily married.
After obtaining his degree, he quickly moved up the ladder in his manufacturing career serving as Plant Manager, Engineering Manager, General Manager, VP of Operations and then Vice President of several multi-million-dollar and Fortune 500 companies. These companies included Bloomfield Industries, Schwinn Bicycles, Multigraphics, Dur-O-Wal, and DieMasters Manufacturing.
His last job before retirement was President of Accurate Manufacturing Company.
Jim’s professional affiliations were plentiful as he was a member of the IIT BMTM Overview Committee, Member of the Machine Shops Advisory Council to review vocational programs for the Chicago Board of Education, and Chairman of the Tool and Manufacturing Board in 1999 and TMA’s Apprentice program.
He also served on the Board of Directors and/or served as President for both the Tool and Manufacturing Association (7 years) and Concordia University Foundation (9 years).
In addition to being a very successful businessman, Jim loved the outdoors and sports. He loved to go hunting, snow skiing, fishing and camping. He loved playing racquetball, bridge and poker! He was a loyal supporter of the Northwestern Boosters, holding football season tickets for 40 years!
He was a member of the DuPage County Bassmaster’s Club and attended monthly bass fishing tournaments during the Chicago fishing season while retired. He loved train travel and served as the President/CEO of the Chicago 20th Century Railroad Club for many years.
He also was a very faithful man and volunteered at his church doing all types of maintenance type projects. After all his lifetime achievements, he was asked what he was most proud of and he answered, “his children.”
Jim was a very patient and devoted husband and cared for his ailing wife, Thekla, at home during her long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. After Thekla died, Jim came down to Florida to visit his daughter, Barbara, for 3 winters in a row and then decided to move here permanently in May 2020. He made friends fast because he was a very personable and jovial man who loved to go out and listen to live music and dance with all the younger ladies! (mainly Barb’s friends) He quickly found a few bridge and poker groups and was very busy with his new life in Florida.
Jim is survived by his daughters Barbara Carter (Brad Forner) and Michelle Gray (Randy), his sons Gregory Baumbich (Karen) and Eric Baumbich (Lindsay), his grandchildren, Keith Carter (Hannah), Nicole Carter, Nicholas Baumbich (Helen), Scott Baumbich, Rachel Baumbich, Ryan Baumbich, and James Gray. May he join his wife Thekla and his grandson Corey in heaven.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 2:00 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 4:00 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard.
